Finding Sparks from the Hammer of Thor
Summertime is the right time for lightning - potent bolts of electricity which zap out of the clouds in thrilling displays like the one shown here. When The Why Files explained lightning, we noted that on average more people are killed by lightning each year than by tornados - a good reason to learn more about these kick-butt jolts of electricity.

People have been trying to understand lightning for thousands of years and contemporary scientists are no exception. Before you can study lightning, you need to know where it will occur next. Scientists have tried to meet this challenge by creating an extensive network of ground based sensors which make it possible to monitor thunderstorm activity. More exciting, scientists are working on a new lightning Mapper Sensor (LMS) system. This technology will allow scientists to map lightning discharges continuously at any time of the day or night.

Photo courtesy of: Australian Severe Weather.